| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| Report of the Trustees and |
| Financial Statements for the Year Ended 28 February 2026 |
| for |
| Second Movement |
| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| Report of the Trustees and |
| Financial Statements for the Year Ended 28 February 2026 |
| for |
| Second Movement |
| Second Movement |
| Contents of the Financial Statements |
| for the Year Ended 28 February 2026 |
| Page |
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
| Report of the Trustees | 2 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 |
| Second Movement |
| Reference and Administrative Details |
| for the Year Ended 28 February 2026 |
| TRUSTEES |
| COMPANY SECRETARY | Abigail Toland |
| REGISTERED OFFICE |
| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER | Cowan & Partners Limited |
| 60 Constitution Street |
| Edinburgh |
| EH6 6RR |
| BANKERS |
| West Malling |
| Kent |
| ME19 4JQ |
| ADVISORY COUNCIL | Ezra Burke |
| Charles Clark |
| Ashutosh Khandekar |
| Robert Miall |
| David Mintz |
| Owen Mortimer |
| Second Movement (Registered number: 05369515) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 28 February 2026 |
| The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 28 February 2026. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). |
| OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
| Objectives and aims |
| The objects of Second Movement are to advance the education of the public in the arts and in particular (without limitation) the art of music in all its branches. |
| Second Movement has the aim of giving artists who are starting their careers in opera the opportunity to produce staged opera performances, with particular focus on new writing. |
| Second Movement is not a grant-making organisation. |
| Public benefit |
| The trustees have complied with the duty in Section 17(5) of the Charities Act to have due regard to public benefit guidance provided by the Charity Commission. Second Movement's events are open to all and opportunities to take part are widely advertised via the Arts Council website, and via other appropriate websites, social media and our mailing list. We have an equal opportunities policy and welcome applicants of all gender, ethnicity and age, irrespective of health or condition. Second Movement's Your Story Your Voice Your Stage programme is dedicated to co-creative opportunities and extending the range of participants in opera with particular reference to underserved or marginalised groups. |
| Activities, Achievements and Performance |
| Review of Activities |
| In 2025-26 Second Movement developed its programme Rough for Opera a step further with an ambitious project to commission three works inspired by the same theme, "Adaptation". As in previous years Rough for Opera continued Second Movement's commitment to supporting new opera and its makers. The 2025 project involved workshops and mentoring over a longer period than in previous projects. The commission was offered to disabled composers and librettists. Second Movement uses the Social Model of Disability in line with the approach of Arts Council England and disability charities. |
| The theme of the operas was the written work on which Edvard Munch based his painting "The Scream". Second Movement paired up 3 composer/librettist teams each responsible for an individual opera. The composer and librettist teams chose the way they wished to interpret the work, and reflected their own lived experience in these choices. The operas explored themes of alienation, anxiety, displacement and grief. The operas were written for a shared cast of singers and instrumental players, put together by Second Movement, some of whom had performed with us before. |
| Although Second Movement has commissioned operas in the past this is the first time we have directly commissioned works for performance at Rough for Opera. |
| FINANCIAL REVIEW |
| Financial position |
| During the year Second Movement had income of £4,809 (2025: £5,089) and expenditure of £51,174 (2025: £45,566), creating a deficit of £46,365 (2025: £40,477). |
| As detailed in our reserves policy, this is in line with expectations as historic funds are carried forward and utilised in furtherance of the charitable objectives. |
| Second Movement (Registered number: 05369515) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| for the Year Ended 28 February 2026 |
| FINANCIAL REVIEW |
| Reserves policy |
| The trustees have established the level of reserves (that is, funds that are freely available) required to support the company's strategy and its ability to fulfil commitments. Reserves are needed to cover operating expenditure and to bridge any funding gaps between spending on productions and receiving resources through donations and admission charges. They are also required to ensure the company has sufficient capacity to deliver the purposes of restricted funds. |
| Apart from its small administrative overheads, Second Movement's expenditure is production and project specific. Consequently the trustees would not wish to commit to expenditure in relation to a production or project without having raised sufficient funds so that, together with cautiously budgeted ticket sales and existing reserves, the expenses of the relevant production can be met. |
| The trustees have been permitted by the funder to use the restricted funds over an extended period at their discretion in order to ensure the maximum value can be delivered within the company's resources. |
| At the year end the charity had reserves of £51,249 (2025: £97,614), with £14,142 (2025: £15,326) of free unrestricted reserves. |
| STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
| Governing document |
| Second Movement is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 18 February 2005. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. There are currently five members (the trustees) each of whom has agreed to contribute £1 in the event of the company being wound up in circumstances where its liabilities exceed its assets. |
| Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees |
| The company's Articles of Association require it to have at least three trustees. The initial trustees were the subscribers to the Memorandum. Subsequent appointments of trustees are by resolution of the trustees. Trustees hold office for a term of three years, renewable by resolution of the trustees. New trustees are selected for their relevant expertise and experience. |
| Risk management |
| As in previous years the trustees have monitored risk closely in conjunction with the Charities Commission guidelines, and have continued the Company's policy of managing risks to a low level. The charity does not undertake long term commitments or commit to expenditure before it has been funded. Overall the trustees are satisfied that the Company's reserves are sufficient to cover all likely commitments and to continue its activities as a going concern. |
| Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
| Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of |
| Second Movement |
| I report on the accounts for the year ended 28 February 2026 set out on pages five to ten. |
| Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner |
| The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity's trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under Section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. |
| Basis of the independent examiner's report |
| My examination was carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. |
| Independent examiner's statement |
| In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention : |
| (1) | which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements |
| - | to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and |
| - | to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations |
| have not been met; or |
| (2) | to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. |
| Mathew Gillies LLB (Hons) ACPA FCIE |
| Full member of the Association of Charity Independent Examiners |
| Cowan & Partners Limited |
| 60 Constitution Street |
| Edinburgh |
| EH6 6RR |
| 17 August 2026 |
| Second Movement |
| Statement of Financial Activities |
| (Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) |
| for the Year Ended 28 February 2026 |
| 28.2.26 | 28.2.25 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
| fund | funds | funds | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Donations and legacies | 2 |
| Charitable activities | 4 |
| Investment income | 3 |
| Total |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Charitable activities |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 97,614 |
| CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
| All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities. |
| The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. |
| Second Movement (Registered number: 05369515) |
| Balance Sheet |
| 28 February 2026 |
| 28.2.26 | 28.2.25 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
| fund | funds | funds | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| CURRENT ASSETS |
| Cash at bank |
| CREDITORS |
| Amounts falling due within one year | 7 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
| NET ASSETS |
| FUNDS | 8 |
| Unrestricted funds | 15,326 |
| Restricted funds | 82,288 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 97,614 |
| The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 28 February 2026. |
| The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2026 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
| The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for |
| (a) | ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
| (b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. |
| These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
| The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
| Second Movement |
| Notes to the Financial Statements |
| for the Year Ended 28 February 2026 |
| 1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
| Basis of preparing the financial statements |
| The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. |
| The accounts are presented in sterling which is the charity's functional currency, and rounded to the nearest pound. |
| No changes have been made to the basis of preparing the financial statements this year or to the previous year's financial statements. |
| Going Concern |
| The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern and there are sufficient reserves to meet the reserves policy detailed on page 3, therefore the accounts are prepared on a going concern basis. |
| Accounting estimates and areas of judgement |
| The preparation of the financial statements conforms with the requirements of the Charities SORP and general accepted accounting principles. No accounting estimates or areas of judgement have been applied. |
| Income |
| All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. |
| Expenditure |
| Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. |
| Taxation |
| The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. |
| Fund accounting |
| Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. |
| Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. |
| Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
| Cash at bank and on hand |
| Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and any short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account. |
| Second Movement |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 28 February 2026 |
| 1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
| Creditors and Loans |
| Creditors and loans are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and loans are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due. |
| VAT |
| Second Movement is not VAT registered and therefore all expenditure is shown inclusive of VAT. |
| 2. | DONATIONS AND LEGACIES |
| 28.2.26 | 28.2.25 |
| £ | £ |
| Donations |
| 3. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
| 28.2.26 | 28.2.25 |
| £ | £ |
| Deposit account interest |
| 4. | INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| 28.2.26 | 28.2.25 |
| Activity | £ | £ |
| Ticket sales | Charitable activities | 582 | 46 |
| 5. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
| There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 28 February 2026 nor for the year ended 28 February 2025. |
| Trustees' expenses |
| Trustees incurred expenses of £2,180 (2025: £1,591) directly related to production costs, software expenses , and marketing, which were reimbursed based on invoiced receipts and in accordance with the company's expense reimbursement policy. |
| No expenses were paid to Trustee's in relation to their role as a Trustee for the year ended 28 February 2026 nor for the year ended 28 February 2025. |
| 6. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
| fund | funds | funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Donations and legacies |
| Charitable activities |
| Investment income |
| Total |
| Second Movement |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 28 February 2026 |
| 6. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
| fund | funds | funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Charitable activities |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward | 15,276 | 122,815 |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 15,326 | 82,288 | 97,614 |
| 7. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 28.2.26 | 28.2.25 |
| £ | £ |
| Accrued expenses |
| 8. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
| Net |
| movement | At |
| At 1.3.25 | in funds | 28.2.26 |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 15,326 | (1,808 | ) | 13,518 |
| Restricted funds |
| Restrcted funds | 82,288 | (44,557 | ) | 37,731 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | (46,365 | ) | 51,249 |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 1,708 | (3,516 | ) | (1,808 | ) |
| Restricted funds |
| Restrcted funds | 3,101 | (47,658 | ) | (44,557 | ) |
| TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | (46,365 | ) |
| Second Movement |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| for the Year Ended 28 February 2026 |
| 8. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
| Comparatives for movement in funds |
| Net |
| At | movement | At |
| 29.2.24 | in funds | 28.2.25 |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 15,276 | 50 | 15,326 |
| Restricted funds |
| Restrcted funds | 122,815 | (40,527 | ) | 82,288 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 138,091 | (40,477 | ) | 97,614 |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 2,275 | (2,225 | ) | 50 |
| Restricted funds |
| Restrcted funds | 2,814 | (43,341 | ) | (40,527 | ) |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 5,089 | (45,566 | ) | (40,477 | ) |
| Restricted funds are derived from historic funding which was received for the charity to spend at their discretion on any project that meets the over all criteria which is to benefit underserved communities. |
| 9. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |
| Donations were received from related parties of £1,150 (2025:£75). There were no further transactions with related parties in the year ended 28 February 2026 or 2025. |